All by my selfie! Blogger shows how to take travel photos with an imaginary girlfriend

By Hiufu Wong, CNN

Updated 0304 GMT (1104 HKT) December 6, 2013

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"Hitori date" (one-man date) guide – Fed up with being envious of the lovebirds he kept running into in cafes, Keisuke Jinushi started a blog teaching single readers to take brilliant pictures with imaginary girlfriends, like these. Scroll through the gallery to see the lengths he goes to for his make-believe relationship.

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How to take dating pics ... – Keisuke, 28, calls his photo series "hitori date" (one-man date). He became an Internet sensation earlier this year.

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Powder up your right hand – Apply a paler foundation on your right hand and bright nail polish on your nails, says Keisuke. Girly accessories like a puffy hairband on the wrist enhance the illusion.

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Train snog – Just like real PDA couples, Keisuke says the first rule for single travelers who want to take "hitori date" photos is "don't be shy."

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Train snog: The truth – "I'm always taking pictures with wigs, so I stock a lot of wigs at my place," says Keisuke. "Recently I started calling them 'my girlfriend.'"

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"Thirsty, Hon?" – Does "hitori dating" make solo commuting more enjoyable? Or more sad?

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"Thirsty, Hon?" The truth – A tripod is the hitori dater's reliable wingman.

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Jealous? – She actually seems really sweet.

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"If you are single, please come to Japan!" – "The most suitable place [for loners] would be Japan," says Keisuke. "Many Japanese couples are so shy so they only hold hands. The worst place for singles is France. Couples are kissing everywhere. It makes you feel so jealous and it's even more painful for you to be on your own."

Tender moments – "Most readers comment that it's 'interesting' or 'fun.'" says Keisuke about his fan base. "Although there are female readers leaving comments, none of them have said, 'Let me be your girlfriend.' What a grim world!"

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Not everyone is amused – "My grandma said she burst into tears after reading my blog because her grandson seems pathetic in these photos," says Keisuke. "But [I'm not] ashamed of being single. You should be puffed up with pride and say 'Yes I am on my own.' You should act like it's normal to be alone. Then the world will be slightly brighter."

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Story highlights

Japanese blogger Keisuke Jinushi started the "hitori date" (one-man date) blog two years ago

"Hitori date" shows how to taking selfies with a make-believe girlfriend

Keisuke's grandmother on the fake girlfriend photos: "Pathetic."

Keisuke's message: "Don't be ashamed of being single."

Rejoice, single travelers.

Traveling alone during the Christmas holidays can be less gloomy -- provided you take the advice of Keisuke Jinushi.

Earlier this year, Keisuke, a 28-year-old freelance Japanese photographer and writer, gained Internet fame with a set of curious Instagram photos capturing him in various settings with his "girlfriend."

The images depicted a young lady feeding Keisuke and even lovingly wiping ketchup from his face.

The twist? "She" was actually Keisuke.

All the photos were single-handedly shot by the unattached Keisuke, with no girlfriend or anyone else involved.

How -- and why -- he did it

Keisuke was sick of seeing people with lovebirds in tow. So he invented his own.

Keisuke started blogging about how to create fake couples photos two years ago. He calls the practice the "hitori date" or "one-man date."

In an early post he wrote: "Photos (one takes) while traveling alone may make one feel lonely and sad when you look at them. So I recommend the 'hitori date photo' technique. Looking at these photos makes me feel blissful."

Anxious to uncover the secrets of his bizarre success, CNN tracked down Keisuke. In the process, we found an engaging spirit who may just be the most amusing and honest blogger in Japan.

CNN: Where did the idea for the "one-man date" photos come from?

Keisuke Jinushi: Sometimes I go to cafes on my own, just to kill time.

When I look around, I see couples spoon-feeding each other. I then have a strong feeling -- I want this too!

In order to have that, I needed a girlfriend, but I didn't have one. I was distressed.

The platform (Daily Portal) where I started my blog gathers lots of writers who write on their interests.

I asked myself, what's my interest? "A girlfriend!"

Since then I have been blogging my feelings about it. Unexpectedly, it's been well received -- everyone wants a lover!